Israel welcomes President Javier Milei for second official visit

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed President Javier Milei on his second official state visit on Tuesday, telling Argentina's leader that he was a "true friend."

"Javier – you are a true friend of Israel!" Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office, highlighting that the Hebrew word for friend sounded similar to Javier. 

Milei, who arrived in Israel late on Monday night and immediately visited the Wailing Wall holy site, said the country had a special place in his heart. 

This is Milei's second visit to Israel since being elected in 2023. His previous trip, in February 2024, was his first official state visit outside of Argentina. 

This week's trip comes as criticism of Israel from other world leaders grows over its ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. 

A statement sent from Netanyahu's office said that Milei commended Netanyahu's "strength in managing the multi-sector war and expressed unqualified support for the State of Israel."

Earlier, Milei told President Isaac Herzog that "as a nation, we want to stand firm alongside you as you go through these dark days."

"We will not yield to criticism resulting from cowardice or complicity with barbarism," he added.

Immediately upon arriving in Israel, Milei made his way to Jerusalem's Western Wall -- the holiest site where Jews can pray -- and offered his own prayers.

"I thank you for the warm and heartfelt welcome –– I will always fully support the people of Israel because this is the just cause, even for the West," he said, according to a readout from the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, which manages the Wailing Wall site.

On Wednesday, Milei is expected to meet with relatives of Argentine-Israeli citizens who were kidnapped by Hamas militants and taken to Gaza on October 7, 2023. 

He will also address a session of Israel's parliament, the Knesset.

– TIMES/AFP